# Using objects. use Hash::Inherting (); { my $data = Hash::Inheriting->new(); %$data = ( Colour => 'blue', Entries => { Flowers => { Dahlia => { Smell => 'nice' }, Rose => { Colour => 'red' }, }, }, ); print $data->{'Entries'}{'Flowers'}{'Rose' }{'Colour'}, $/, # red $data->{'Entries'}{'Flowers'}{'Dahlia'}{'Colour'}, $/; # blue }